Process optimization of rare earth and aluminum leaching from weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore with compound ammonium salts

In order to intensify the leaching process of rare earth（RE） and reduce the impurities in the leachate, ammonium chloride（NH4Cl） and ammonium nitrate（NH4NO3） were mixed as a compound leaching agent to treat the weathered crust elution-deposited RE ore. Effects of molar ratio of NH~＋_4Cl and NH_4NO_3, ammonium（NH_4） concentration, leaching agent pH and flow rate on the leaching process of RE were studied and evaluated by the chromatographic plate theory. Leaching process of the main impurity aluminium（Al） was also discussed in detail. Results showed that a higher initial ammonium concentration in a certain range could enhance the mass transfer process of RE and Al by providing a driving force to overcome the resistance of diffusion. pH almost had no effects on the mass transfer efficiency of RE and Al in the range of 4 to 8. The relationship between the flow rate and height equivalent to a theoretical plate（HETP） could fit well with the Van Deemter equation, and the flow rate at the lowest HETP was determined. The optimum conditions of column leaching for RE and Al were 1：1（molar ratio） of NH_4Cl and NH_4NO_3, 0.2 mol/L of ammonium concentration, pH 4–8 of leaching agent and 0.5 mL /min of flow rate. Under this condition, the mass transfer efficiency of RE was improved, but no change was observed for Al compared with the most widely used ammonium sulfate. Moreover, the significant difference value（around 20 mL） of retention volume at the peak concentration between RE and Al provided a possibility for their separation. It suggested the potential application of the novel compound leaching agent（NH_4Cl/NH_4NO_3）. It was found that the relative concentration of RE in the leachate could be easily obtained by monitoring the pH of leachate.

Curcumin Extract as a Green Inhibitor of Leaching from Aluminum Cookware at Quasi-Cooking Conditions

Curcumin aqueous extract is used successfully as a green corrosion inhibitor at quasi-cooking conditions (90℃) to inhibit leaching from Aluminum cook wares in solutions containing vegetables or meat. Aluminum cook wares were bought from the market from four countries and cut to make the Aluminum samples. Six types of vegetables and three kinds of meat were chosen. Each type of vegetable and meat was used to prepare 30% w/v aqueous solutions. Three methods were used in the present study: Gravimetric method, Atomic Absorption and FTIR. Gravimetric method was applied to determine the leaching rate and the corrosion inhibition efficiency with/without NaCl. The effect of Curcumin concentration, Tab water, immersion time, alloying elements was investigated. There was a good consistency between Gravimetric and Atomic Absorption methods. The adsorption of Curcumin on the aluminum surface was in accordance with Langmuir isotherm. The values of the adsorption constant (Kads) and the free energy of adsorption (Gadso) were calculated and discussed. FTIR spectrum indicated that Curcumin coordinated with Al3+ resulting in the formation of Al3+-Curcumin complex on the metal surface. Using a small amount of Curcumin decreased leaching from Aluminum cook wares into food by 60% - 80% depending about the type of food.

Dissolution kinetics of aluminum and iron from coal mining waste by hydrochloric acid

The extrartion of aluminum from coal mining waste(CMW) is an important industrial process.The two major problems in applications are low aluminum dissolution efficiency and high iron content in the raw material,which affect the quantity and quality of products.To improve the aluminum recovery process,the leaching kinetics of CMW with hydrochloric acid was studied.A shrinking core model was used to investigate aluminum and iron dissolution kinetics.Based on the kinetic characteristics,a process for recovering aluminum was proposed and tested experimentally.It is found that the aluminum leaching reaction is controlled by surface reaction at low temperatures(40-80℃) and by diffusion process at higher temperatures(90-106℃).The iron dissolution process is dominated by surface reaction at 40-100℃.The results show that iron could be dissolved or separated by concentrated hydrochloric acid.Fine grinding will improve aluminum dissolution significantly.